This years Lake Sturgeon season on the St.Croix has been an interesting one this fall of 2008. The bite had been a little slow to start with warmer water temps early in the season. People were finding the Sturgeon were not as aggressive as in seasons past, until recently when water temps started to drop did the bite pick up dramatically and it was action that many jumped at and took part in.
We arrived on the water a little after 5:00pm. We were pleasantly surprised at the lack of boat traffic, given the beautiful day. The action was a little slow for the first couple hours. It wasn’t until we pick up our 3rd Mate: WWG (Waste Water Guru) and the delivered Pizza’s that we saw the action pick up.
For the rigging we were primarily doing the standard, but with a few different twists, my preference was using a 2oz weight with a 12 inch leader and 2/0 circle hook, I would just suspend my weight 2-3 inches off the bottom and wait for the tap. Bait of choice was frozen shad and cut shiner or night crawler. WWG has spent enough time on the St. Croix this year that he was really taking a shine to jigging only with cut bait. It was pretty interesting to watch him hook into some nice fish when they would bump on his jig.
We managed 17 Lakers, 2 Channel Cats, 1 Sheephead for a great night of fishing, that included 4 doubles. (Reminder to keep a close eye on the other rods when your fighting a fish) We crossed paths with some other IDOers that night with reports of Triples!!!! being had. Talk about excitement!
The season is coming to a close this Wednesday. If your able take a shot and get out on the water. Very few things top the excitement of a 30-60 inch Lake Sturgeon.
Nice report Larry…and jigging to boot!
So the question of the day is…when it’s windy and the “normal” rigging isn’t working…would jigging be the way to go?
I’m really hoping that next year, with only a four week season (yet to be made into law) that they cut off the first two weeks and not the last two.
They could just make things simple and call it an October only season.
Nice fish guys. I didn’t get out there near as much I wanted to this year.
Great read and Pictures Larry
That looks like it has got to be a blast
Looks like you guys had a great time.
Taking my last trip of the season tonight
I’ve found that my bite detection and catch ratio goes way up when its windy if I suspend my weight off the bottom. Your rod is always bobbing but you can see the tell tale bite. As far as Jigging, WWG was using considerably light tackle but he and I were neck and neck for fish, He missed a fair share if he was distracted when the bump to the jig came. We paid the price once when he hooked into one and thought it was on the small side
Till it managed to sweep 3 lines and an anchor while we all watched. 
I think I will be giving the jigging a try next year.
As far as the season shorting, I’m with you. I hope they take it off the front side of the season.
Good luck tonight Wiggs!
Ya, cool report Larry!